It’s true that driver safety tech in new cars is largely very expensive, but now there’s at least one thing you won’t have to pay extra for anymore: A backup camera.
Backup cameras are now mandatory on all cars built to U.S.-spec after May 1, 2018, reports Car and Driver. This was actually part of a plan that sought to make the cameras standard that started back when George W. Bush was president (a time that feels like centuries ago.)
From the story:
The standardization is part of a U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) regulation issued in 2014, although Peter Kurdock, deputy general counsel with the Advocates for Highway & Auto Safety, said the effort to make backup cameras standard began back when George W. Bush was president. “It literally took us 10 years to get them into the cars,” Kurdock told Car and Driver.
Backup cameras are usually part of expensive luxury or convenience packages on some cars, so it’s nice that something can be easily fitted on all cars is actually a standard now. Like three-point seat belts.
Just remember, America: Even though you have a backup camera, it still means you have to look back. It isn’t a solution to looking back, it’s a crutch.
DO NOT FORGET THIS!